Is Nathan Florence The Most Dynamic Big Wave Surfer In The World Right Now?

From charging at home in Hawaii to chasing monster swells halfway around the world, Florence likes his surf big, heavy and terrifying.

Nathan Florence is all gas, no break. The surfer from Hawaii recently described a wipeout he suffered at Mullaghmore Head in Ireland as obliterating him into “space dust.” That session he took three vicious wipeouts on his first three waves, yet somehow always seems to bounce back with a shit-eating grin on his face.

Calling a surfer “best" in the big-wave world is pretty futile as at any given moment somebody can get the ride of their lives and break a world record, but in terms of pushing limits in life-threatening conditions and dedication, Florence is setting a dizzying pace. At the New Big Wave Challenge, he took him Surfer of the Year and Ride of the Year Honors, futher cementing his reputation.

One swell he’s charging Peah’i on Maui, the next thing you know he’s in Namibia at Skeleton Bay, then he’s off to the Old World for a session in Ireland or Portugal. Florence told one source that he spends an upwards of $250,000 a year on airfare alone.

Winner for Ride of the Year at the Big Wave Challenge awards earlier this month, Nathan Florence at Mullaghmore Head in Ireland last year. 

Joao Tudella / Big Wave Challenge

Sponsored by Vans, operating a very successful YouTube channel, Florence has carved out a niche unlike most other surfers in the world. He makes his money by being in the right place at the right time…every time. Brother of two-time world champion John John Florence, from time to time they also sneak away on the family sailboat and explore the deepest reaches of the South Pacific.

In terms of preparation, in the offseason Florence grinds. He’s part of a small crew of North Shore surfers and fitness freaks that pride themselves on torturing one another. Focusing on strength and endurance, it’s that confidence in his body that allows him to shake off space dust-inducing wipeouts with a smile. That’s not to say Florence is deadly serious about the consequences of his actions, he most definitely it, he’s just remarkably good natured about it all.

With an El Niño winter brewing, the big-wave season is just getting underway. As evidence by his recent harrowing session in Ireland, Florence already has some heavy water under his belt. No doubt he’s already eyeing the weather and swell maps, calling his travel agent and trying to figure out where the next epic score’s going to be.